1. And (62). Better but, as a contrast is now introduced with the prosperous condition of the Church indicated at the close of the last chapter.
Was multiplied (7AnJuvovTwr). Lit., “when the disciples were multiplying ;” the present pectciple indicating something in progress.
A murmuring (yoyyucuos), See on the kindred word mur- murers, Jude 16.
Grecians (EdAquordv). Rev., much better, Grecian Jews, with Hellenists in margin. “Grecians” might easily be under- stood of Greeks in general. The word ellenists denotes Jews, not Greeks, but Jews who spoke Greek. The contact of Jews with Greeks was first effected by the conquests of Alexander. He settled eight thousand Jews in the Thebais, and the Jews formed a third of the population of his new city of Alexandria. From Egypt they gradually spread along the whole Mediter- ranean coast of Africa. They were removed by Seleucus Nica- tor from Babylonia, by thousands, to Antioch and Seleucia, and under the persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes scattered them- selves through Asia Minor, Greece, Macedonia, and the Aigean islands. The vast baaiority of them adopted the Greek ‘lan- guage, and forgot the Aramaic dialect which had been their language since the Captivity. The word is used but twice in the New Testament—here and ch. ix. 29—and, in both cases, of Jews who had embraced Christianity, but who spoke Greek and used the Septuagint version of the Bible instead of the original Hebrew or the Chaldaic targuwm or paraphrase. The word “Edarnv, Greek, which is very common in the New Testament, is used in antithesis, either to “ Barbarians” or to “ Jews.” In the former case it means all nations which spoke the Greek language (see Acts xviii. 17; Rom. i. 14; 1 Cor. i. 22, 23). In
474 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Cu. VI,
_the latter it is equivalent to Gentiles (see Rom. i. 16; ii. 9; 1 Cor. x. 32; Gal. ii. 8). Hence, in either case, it is wholly different from Hedllenzst.
Hebrews. Hebrew is the proper antithesis to Hellenist. A man was ‘IovSaios, a Jew, who traced his descent from Jacob, and conformed to the religion of his fathers. He might speak Greek and be a Hellenist. He was ‘E8pdauos, a Hebrew, only as he spoke Hebrew and retained Hebrew customs. The distinc- tion between Hebrew and Hellenist was a distinction within the Jewish nation, and not between it and other nations. Thus Paul calls himself a Hebrew of Hebrews ; i.e., a Hebrew and of Hebrew parents (Philip. iii. 5; compare 2 Cor. xi. 22).
Were neglected (rapeIewpodvto). Only here in New Tes- tament. Lit., were overlooked, The imperfect denoting some- thing habitual.
Daily (cadnuepivy). Only here in New Testament.
Ministration (Scaxovia). Or service. See on minister, Matt. xx. 26. The reference is to the distribution of provision.
2. Reason (apeorov). Lit., pleasing or agreeable.
Leave (katarerfavras). Rather forsake or abandon : leave in the lurch.
Serve tables. Superintend the distribution of food.
3. Of good report (uaprupoupévous). Lit., attested, hawing witness borne them.
4. We will give ourselves continually (pooxaprepycoper). See on ch. i. 14. Rev., continue steadfastly.
5. Stephen, ete. The names are all Greek. There is no reason to infer from this that they were all Hellenists. It was
Cu. VL] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 475
customary among the Jews to have two names, the one Hebrew and the other Greek. They were probably partly Hebrews and partly Hellenists.
7. To the faith (7 wicre). Opinions differ greatly as to whether this is to be taken as meaning fazth in Jesus Christ, or faith considered as Christian doctrine—the Gospel ; the faith in the ecclesiastical sense. This passage and Gal. i. 23 are the strong passages in favor of the latter view; but the general usage of the New Testament, added to the fact that in both these passages the former meaning gives a good, intelligible, and perfectly consistent sense, go to confirm the former inter- pretation.